Method and system for presenting item information using a portable data terminal

ABSTRACT

An improved portable shopping system with improved data presentation system for presenting customer desired data on a portable terminal. The portable terminal includes audio as well as video presentation components that are used to provide customer specific marketing files to promote the sale of identified items.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/692,402 filed on Oct. 19, 2000 and entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FORPRESENTING ITEM INFORMATION USING A PORTABLE DATA TERMINAL, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/435,883 (U.S. Pat.No. 6,199,753) filed on Nov. 4, 1999 which is a divisional of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/771,463 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,757) filedon Dec. 20, 1996; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/706,579 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,002) filed on Sep.5, 1996. This application is also related to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/780,023 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,084,528). The entireties of theseapplications are hereby incorporated by reference.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/706,579 entitled “DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SECURE DATA UPDATESIN A SELF-CHECKOUT SYSTEM” filed on Sep. 5, 1996, currently pending, andis related to pending United States Patent Application entitled“INTRANET SCANNING TERMINAL SYSTEM” filed on Dec. 20, 1996.

FIELD OF USE

This invention relates generally to an improved portable data terminaland a system for communicating information over a wireless communicationnetwork using the portable terminal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of data collecting portable computing terminals such as the PPT4100 and the PPT 4600 manufactured by Symbol Technologies, Inc., theassignee of the present invention, has been adopted in many commercialapplications. These terminal systems may include integrated bar codereaders which permit the collection, storage and distribution of a highvolume of data without the need for extensive keypad data entry. Theseterminal systems also provide full computing capabilities using standardPC architectures. These terminal systems may also be provided withwireless communication radio systems such as Symbol Technologies, Inc.local area network radio system “SPECTRUM24™”. The SPECTRUM24™ radionetwork system permits hand-held terminals to share and retrieve data inthe proximity of local area networks with a central host.

Hand-held computing terminals offering various computing functions havebeen previously used in consumer applications. Examples of such systemsare described in Dutch Patent Application No. 9002296 (“the '296application”) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,942 to Oosterveen et al. (“theOosterveen Patent”). The '296 application and the Oosterveen Patentdescribe systems in which an authorized customer is issued a terminalhaving an integrated bar code scanner to record merchandise purchases.The scanners maintain a list of merchandise selected for purchase by thecustomer within internal memory means. Prior to exiting the store, theinformation stored in the memory of a scanner is downloaded through acommunication port attached to a terminal dispenser, and a printedticket of the customer's purchases is printed on a printer. The customerthen proceeds to a checkout register where the customer tenders paymentfor the purchased merchandise. The systems may provide for theoccasional audit of customers using the system to ensure integrity ofthe self-service system.

Commercially available prior art self-checkout systems have employedrelatively simple and unsophisticated consumer systems which havegenerally been limited to providing simple pricing and productidentification information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improvedportable terminal and data communication system.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide astandardized system for presenting data at a portable terminal byretrieving associated data files stored at remote addresses by employinga wireless communication network. In a preferred embodiment, theportable terminal employs a relatively simple microprocessor and systemarchitecture while providing full graphics and audio support.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide improvedaccess to generally available multi-media data files associated with anitem identified by a portable terminal.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedself-scanning system which provides improved multi-media support anddirect marketing functions.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a portable terminalhaving an integrated machine code reader and a radio is provided with agraphical user interface such as a “web browser.” The terminal isprovided with a display for illustrating help and instructional filesassociated with a selected item identified with the machine code reader.Thus, a warehouse clerk who reads a bar code from a box of potato chipswill automatically retrieve from the central host an instruction fileinstructing the person where to forward the package, or in analternative embodiment, an airplane mechanic will be provided withrepair instructions from a central host for an engine part which ismarked with a machine readable code. In an alternative embodiment, aconsumer using a hand-held terminal in a self-scanning application ofthe present invention (sometimes referred to as self-shopping orself-checkout) receives marketing, pricing, and additional informationfrom a central host for products she has scanned with her portableterminal.

The information downloaded to the hand-held terminal can be presented inany number of forms. The data can be presented in the form of a stillpicture, text, audio or as video. As a result, a mechanic unknown to themanufacture using an open standard communications network and a generichand terminal can download a video image of an engine part and a videoclip for the part providing instructions on its removal and repair. Theuse of standard data protocols such as those used currently on theInternet permit wide area accessibility over commercial and closedcommunication networks on any number of hardware platforms.

A preferred alternative embodiment of the present invention includesmachine readable coded labels having one or more remote file location,such as uniform resurrect locators (“URLS”) used to reference sites onthe world wide web. These URLs are used by the portable terminal toretrieve data files including items such as prices, nutritional data,coupon availability, promotions, marketing data and general interestdata from various local and remote addresses available over a wirelesscommunication network. The machine coded labels are preferably encodedwith a high-density bar code such as PDF417. These URLs can be presentedon the terminal display in the form of a hyperlink which submits a dataretrieval request to a remote address upon selection. The displayedhyperlink could be presented on the display as either a direct address(URL) or a highlighted title for the address.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a portableterminal having a unique address on the system is provided with a voicetransmission channel. This permits the terminal to function as atelephone and pager. The telephone line could be automaticallyestablished using an associated data link or by dialing a phone number.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a general block diagram of a system employing a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a preferred embodiment of a portable terminal of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the basic subcomponents of apreferred embodiment of a portable terminal of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an alternative preferred embodiment of the present inventionused in a self-scanning application;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the portable terminal illustrated inFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an alternative preferred embodiment of a system of the presentinvention employed in a self-scanning system;

FIGS. 7A-7E are illustrative examples of display outputs employed in aself-scanning system employing a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a general functional block diagram of a telephony system usedin a portable terminal of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an example of system components used by a consumer in aself-scanning system employing a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a home shopping delivery system employing apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention employs a portable terminal having an integratedmachine code reader. Although the system will be described in terms of aportable terminal employing an integrated bar code laser scanner, itwill be understood by those skilled in the art that the machine codereader can be a radio frequency identification tag reader, a CCD barcode reader or any other type of machine code reader which can decodeencoded indicia on an article.

The portable terminal of the present invention employs a wirelesscommunication radio for communicating data to a central computer over awireless communication network. The network could be either a local areanetwork (“LAN”), such as Symbol's SPECTRUM24™ spread spectrum frequencyhopping communication network, or a wide area communication networksystem (“WAN”) such as those employing a cellular digital packet data(CDPD) communication protocol, or a combination of LAN and WAN systems.

Data collected with the portable terminal is communicated to a centralhost. In a preferred embodiment, the central host performs most of thecomputing functions, thereby reducing the computational memory and powerrequirements of the portable terminals communicating with the system.The central host is preferably connected to other remote networksthrough high speed communication links such as commercially availableT1, T2 or T3 type telephone connections. Through such connections, thecentral host may communicate with third party servers employing standardTCP/IP and other standardized communication protocols totransmit/retrieve data.

The present invention will be described in terms of an improved portableshopping system in a retail facility. However, as noted above, it willbe understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention maybe utilized in any data collection environment in which data iscommunicated from a central host to an end user employing a portabledata collection terminal.

A. The Portable Terminal

FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a portable terminal of thepresent invention. The terminal 70 is provided with a display 72. Thedisplay is preferably a CGA or VGA type video display having a touchsensitive surface. The display will function both as a video display anda data input device. A pen 73 is also provided on the terminal 70. Thepen 73 is located in a pen slot 73A when not in use.

In a preferred embodiment, the terminal 70 is also provided with alimited number of activation buttons 76, 77 and 78 for performingvarious user functions. In the context of a preferred portable shoppingsystem, the portable terminal includes a “plus” key to “add” an itemselected by a consumer to a list of purchased items, a “minus” key to“delist” a previously selected item from the purchase list which is tobe returned to the shelves of the store, and an “equals” key to displaythe total cost of the items selected for purchase.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the terminal 70 isprovided with a voice communication system including a microphone 71 anda speaker 74. This voice communication system may be used to obtainassistance from a store operator or to transmit audio data broadcast bythe central host, i.e., “Please proceed to the store checkout center,the store will close in ten minutes” or “Soda is on sale for 89 cents inaisle five.” Video messages may also be transmitted to the video display72. In order to protect consumers in retail facilities from unwantedcommercial transmissions, the terminal is also provided with acommercial transmission “on/off” button 79. This button disablestransmission of broadcast audio and/or video commercials to consumersduring their shopping trips. Preferably, the “off” button will notdisengage the transmission of urgent messages such as a lost childnotice, an emergency notice, or as described further below, a specifiedpreference information message. In addition, the voice system on theportable terminal may also be used to provide voice activated controlcommands on the portable terminal.

Collection of data is preferably performed by a bar code scanner 75.Preferably the scanner will be able to read one and two dimensional barcodes such as the ubiquitous UPC code and PDF 417 code. In analternative embodiment of the present invention, the scanner isdetachable from the terminal so that the terminal may be attached to ashopping cart with a shopping cart cradle and the scanner can bedetached for use by the consumer. The scanner could be provided witheither a short range radio link and its own battery supply or a wiredconnection. In the event the products selected by the customer also bearelectronic article surveillance (EAS) tags, the terminal may also beprovided with a deactivation circuit which is activated when the productis scanned for purchase and deactivation prior to the product beingdelisted from the consumer's shopping list. An example of such anactivation/deactivating system is described in pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 07/919,410 filed on Jul. 27, 1992 which is assignedto Symbol Technologies, Inc. The EAS tags are preferably used on alimited number of restricted sales items so that the EAS tags will bedeactivated/activated only upon determination that the selected item isavailable for purchase by the customer at that specified time and place.

The portable terminal 70 communicates with a central host through awireless radio 80. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,the radio 80 is a Symbol SPECTRUM24™ PCMCIA type II card communicatingover a local area network employing a frequency-hopping communicationsystem conforming to Draft D5 of IEEE proposed standard 802.11. Thestandard is available from IEEE Standards Department, 445 Hoes Lane,P.O. Box 1331, Piscataway, N.J. 08855-1331. The standard is incorporatedherein by reference and shall not be further discussed. The systememploys data throughput of at least one mega bit per second. Dependingon the volume of data being transmitted, discrete communication systemssuch as SPECTRUM ONE®, also available from Symbol Technologies, Inc.,may also be used. Moreover, many other frequency bands and data encodingschemes could be employed which provide adequate bandwidth and security.

The ergonomic design of the portable terminal shown in FIG. 2 permits aconsumer to use the terminal in either horizontal configuration alongline A-A, or in a vertical configuration relative to line A-A. Theterminal is provided with a reconfiguration key setting which permitsthe video system to automatically reconfigure its display to reflect theuser's preference. The reconfiguration key 79A will automaticallyreconfigure the video display to change the display configuration fromthe first configuration, e.g., landscape, to a second configuration,e.g., portrait. The reconfiguration function permits a facility toconnect the portable terminal to a fixed station in more than onearrangement. Thus, depending on space requirements, the portableterminal may be used as part of akiosk to provide a fixed station forpresenting pricing data, advertising and customer assistance.

FIG. 3 illustrates the basic subcomponent systems of the portableterminal shown in FIG. 2. As shown, the system 70 includes a CPU 701which communicates with the radio 702, scanning subsystem 704, the videosubsystem 705, the telephone subsystem 706, data input device 707, andan EAS tag activation/deactivation circuit 708.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a portableterminal of the present invention. In FIG. 4, terminal 100 is providedwith a display 110. The display is a partial CGA display having amulti-contact navigational pad 106 for scrolling through the full videoimage presented to the consumer. In addition, the terminal 100 is alsoprovided with a scanner 120 for reading bar code labels 122, three inputbuttons 101, 102 and 103, a speaker 104 and a microphone 105. Theportable terminal 100 is equipped with a radio 108 and a rechargeablebattery 107 inside the casing, shown in FIG. 5. Also shown in FIG. 5 arethe main circuit board 111, the scan engine 120A, and battery rechargingterminals 107A and 107B which are connected to a recharging circuit (notshown). A separate circuit board 109 is also shown for the optionaltelephony application. A battery overcharge protector circuit is alsoincluded but not shown.

B. The Central Host

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, portable terminals12A, 12B, 12C, 12D and 12E in location 10 communicate to a central host14 through multi-access points 13A and 13B. As described above, theterminals communicate in the local area network 10 with a SPECTRUM24™network. The network provides a transparent wireless connection to anEthernet LAN 16 through multiple access points 13A and 13B. Preferably,each of the access points is compatible with the Simple NetworkManagement Protocol (SNMP).

SPECTRUM24™ employs a frequency hopping modulation technique that offersa high-capacity network by using multiple access points which may beconnected to an existing wired LAN backbone. The system employs morethan 70 non-overlapping frequencies which minimize the probability thatone cell will operate on the same frequency at the same time as anothercell. The system is designed to work in the 2 to 2.5 Ghz frequency band.

Data collected by the central host 14 through the Ethernet LAN backbone16 (FIG. 1) is processed locally. To the extent the received datarequires a response, the central host retrieves data, processesinformation and retransmits data to the portable terminals. In the eventthe terminal's request should require the retrieval of data not storedon the central host 14, the central host 14 may retrieve data fromexternal sources such as IP addressable servers 40 and 50 through a widearea communication network 30.

Host 14 may also use the wide area communication network 30 tocommunicate data to another host 24 at a related site 20. The two sitescould also be linked to provide pass through communication between aterminal 12A located in site 10 and a terminal 22A located at site 20.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention host 14 and host 24communicate data over the wide area network 30 with open standardprotocols and data types such as that used by an Internet server. Such asystem would permit host 14 to retrieve and utilize data from serverswithout complex data conversion and translation routines. In a preferredembodiment, the open architecture standard is also designed into theportable terminals so that data files can be transparently retrieved bythe portable terminals 12A-12E through to the host 14. With respect tosensitive and confidential data, it is preferred that the systems employencryption technology or use a secure closed communication link.

C. The Self-Scanning System

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, locations 10 and 20(FIG. 1) are retail facilities employing self-scanning systemsillustrated in FIG. 4. These systems are also sometimes referred to asself-checkout and self-shopping systems which terms will be usedinterchangeably herein. In FIG. 4, the portable terminal 100communicates over a wireless communication network 130. In theillustrated embodiment, the multi-access point 13 (FIG. 1) isincorporated into a controller 150 which functions as the central hostto the portable terminal 100. The controller 150 is coupled to anin-store point of sale (POS) controller 160 which may be an IBM 4680/90or similar computer which includes price information and maintainsstatistical data as to purchases, discounts, inventory, and promotionalinformation. Although these controllers are shown as physicallyseparated items, they could also be logical distinct software items in asingle hardware device.

The in-store controller 160 is coupled to the retail facilitiespoint-of-sale terminals 170. The point-of-sale terminal 170 is used toreceive payment from customers after they have selected items forpurchase and to process customers not using portable terminals tocollect items for purchase. Payment may be made by electronic means viaa card swipe/reader 175 or through a standard cash/check transaction.

1. System Operation

FIG. 9 illustrates various components of a self-checkout systememploying a preferred alternative embodiment of the present invention.The system components are used by a consumer during a self-checkouttransaction.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, a customer is provided with a customer loyaltycard 210 having encoded customer data stored thereon. Correspondingcustomer information is also placed in a customer data file on a centralstorage system. Once a customer loyalty card 210 has been issued and acorresponding customer data file is established on the central storagesystem, the customer may then use the system to perform self-checkout ofmerchandise distributed in a facility employing the self-checkoutsystem.

To use the system, a customer proceeds to an entrance unit 220 andinserts their customer card 210. A card reader on the entrance unit 220reads the information stored on the card and checks with the centralstorage system to confirm that a corresponding customer data file existsand that the customer is authorized to use the system. Once systemapproval is obtained, a display unit 224 on the entrance unit 220instructs the user to proceed to a designated area of a dispenser unit230 to retrieve a designated data collection unit such as portableterminal with an integrated bar code reader 240. Although not shown, theself-checkout system could also be provided with an entry gate which isactivated to permit entry of the customer upon the assignment of the barcode reader 240 and activation of blinking lights 233 located on theside of and above the dispenser which directs the customer to thelocation of the bar code reader 240 in the dispenser units. These entryand directional systems are especially necessary in large stores havinga high number of dispenser units.

The bar code reader 240 is provided with a flashing light 242 to assistthe customer in retrieving it after it has been assigned to thecustomer. The flashing light 242 is activated by the central processor(shown in FIG. 2) after it has been assigned to the customer and theassignment is recorded in the customer's data file. In an alternativeembodiment, the bar code reader is further provided with an audiblesignal generator to assist the user in finding it in the terminaldispenser and a visual display for displaying either the customer's nameor some other form of customer identifiable code. Although notillustrated, the dispenser system for the portable terminals could alsotake the form of a vending machine type dispenser or rotatable dispenserracks which rotate to provide a customer access to a selected terminal.

The hand-held bar code reader 240 is stored in one of a plurality ofslots 234 in the dispenser unit 230. Each of the slots is physically andelectronically marked and may be provided with locking means for lockingthe bar code reader 240 in place until the bar code reader is assignedfor use to a customer. The physical marking is used to direct thecustomer to the proper location on the dispenser, i.e., location “A9,”and the electronic marking is provided as a means for identifying thelocation of the bar code reader by the central processor. The electronicmeans may comprise a bar code located on the terminal dispenser 230 suchthat when the bar code reader 240 is locked in place, the bar code canbe read by the bar code reader 240 and communicated to the centralprocessor. Once the bar code reader 240 is assigned to a customer, thelocking means is disengaged. In the event the bar code reader is notremoved from the slot 234 after a predetermined time period, it is againlocked and the customer data file for the customer to whom it wasassigned is updated to reflect that the customer did not take possessionof the reader within the allotted time period.

Prior to issuance to a customer, the bar code reader 240 could also berequired to scan the bar code located on the terminal dispenser as aself-diagnostic tool. In a preferred embodiment, the bar code issufficiently degraded to test the outer boundaries of the bar codereader's capabilities. Thus, if the bar code reader is unable to readthe bar code and communicate the bar code symbol to the centralprocessor, it will not be assigned. The central processor will notifythe supervising attendant that the terminal is not functioning properly.

Once a customer has been issued a bar code reader 240, the customerproceeds through the retail facility and uses the bar code reader 240 torecord purchases. Preferably each item is either coded with a code whichis recognizable to the bar code reader, or in the case of produce whichis sold by weight, is provided with a machine for generating an adhesivebar coded ticket after the produce is weighed. Upon scanning of the codeon a selected merchandise item 260, a display 244 on the bar code reader240 displays product information such as price, product name, quantityand nutritional information. In a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the bar code reader 240 acts as a dumb terminal with radiofrequency communication means. In such case, all information is storedin a central location and the bar code reader 240 simply sends andreceives data from the central location.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reader permits acustomer to add a product to their record through the selection of an“add” key 246, return a scanned product previously selected by selectinga “minus” key 247 or simply to perform a price check or otherinformation check by pressing an “equals” key 248. In a preferredembodiment, the “equals” key may also be used to provide the customerwith a running total of the products selected.

Once the customer has completed their product selection, the customerreturns the bar code reader 240 to the dispenser unit 230 where it isplaced in an open slot 234. Upon return of the bar code reader 240,information collected with the bar code reader 240 is processed by acentral processing unit and a ticket for the items is issued to thecustomer from a printer 232 which is located near or on the dispenser.The returned terminal also transmits its terminal identification codeand the address of the slot into which it has been inserted for trackingby the system controller 150. In an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention, rather than issuing a ticket at the terminaldispenser location, a card reader and data entry device 175 are providedat the cash register 170. The customer may then enter their customercard, with or without an authorization pin number, at the cash registerlocation.

Prior to updating any customer data files, the customer is requested toinsert the customer loyalty card 10 and/or enter a pin code to ensurethat the customer is in fact the same person who initially retrieved thescanner. This is especially important in the event the system providesfor electronic fund transfers for payment and information for suchtransfers are stored wholly or partially in a customer data file.

Once the central processing system has successfully retrieved thecustomer information from the bar code reader 240, the customer thenproceeds to a checkout register 170 for payment of the productsselected. In the event a debit operation was made at the dispenser unit230 through a card reader 175 and data entry device (not shown) whichissues a receipt of payment including a list of purchased items,confirmation of payment. The checkout system may be an automated systemor a manually operated system. The ticket is either scanned or otherwiseread at the checkout 170 and the customer is asked to pay for the goodsselected if payment has not been previously made.

Recognizing that some goods may not be scanned due to coding damage orother issues, a customer may proceed to a manned checkout station suchas POS terminal 170 for the addition of items to their receipt. At suchpoint, additional payment may need to be made using traditional paymentschemes, or if the central processing unit is being used to provide adebit function, customer card and pin code information may need to beentered at the checkout facility. After all items are selected and thetransaction is complete, the customer's data file is updated in thecentral processing unit to reflect the customer's shopping activities.

2. Customer Data Downloads

As discussed above, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention aportable terminal is provided with a high resolution graphical screenfor displaying text and graphics to the consumer, and a two-way radio.In the context of the present invention, these interactive multi-mediadevices are employed to provide selective and broadcast data toconsumers using the system.

In a preferred embodiment, each customer who uses the system has anassociated data file stored on the central host including a customerpreference list. Thus, when a customer is issued a portable terminal100, the central host creates a transaction file for the customer totrack the customer's shopping history and also downloads preselectedpreferences. Such preferences may be collected/activated when thecustomer signs up for the system or may be added or modified laterthrough a customer service desk or kiosk (not shown) which is connectedto the central host 150. The preference list may be stored on a computerdatabase or on the customer's identification card.

Preferences may include display available information on:

-   -   (1) cholesterol    -   (2) calories    -   (3) fat content    -   (4) generic brand alternatives    -   (5) better buy alternatives    -   (6) brand name alternatives    -   (7) electronic coupons    -   (8) paper coupons    -   (9) contests    -   (10) News        -   (a) general        -   (b) metro        -   (c) sports        -   (d) markets        -   (e) local events        -   (f) celebrity news briefs    -   (11) general advertising broadcasts    -   (12) language        -   (a) English        -   (b) German        -   (c) Spanish        -   (d) French        -   (e) Italian        -   (f) other    -   (13) size    -   (14) special family event dates.        -   (a) birthdays        -   (b) holidays    -   (15) preferences of other family members if approved upon        registration    -   (16) frequent shopper point level, including those from partner        companies (e.g., Blockbuster and 7-11)

A user selects which, if any, of the following categories of informationthey would like to activate during their shopping transaction. Certainof the preferences may be activated by the scanning of certain items.Examples of such preferences are selections (1), (2), (3), (4), (5),(6), (7), (8) and (9). For instance, if a customer has activated items(1), (2) and (5), the customer's scan of a pint of frozen yogurt mayprompt the customer that the product has a certain amount of cholesteroland calories per serving and that a cheaper per serving alternative forthe same brand is available in a one-quart container.

Certain data may not be item selection sensitive. For instance, if acustomer selects that they are interested in receiving “celebrity newsbriefs” they may have a portion of their display function as aticker-tape data field in which data regarding various celebrities iscontinuously displayed. The ticker tape may include story headlineswhich may be selected for presentation of a full story. Alternatively,if the screen is sufficiently large, a small segment of the screen maybe devoted to video clips from relevant shows such as “CNN” or“Entertainment Tonight.”

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG.4, this information is downloaded to the portable terminal 100 over thewireless network 130. The portable terminal is a DOS or Windows™operating system having a browser type graphical user interface. Datadisplayed on the terminal's display will include “links” to otherinformation. Accordingly, when a “fat content” value is displayed on thedisplay, the “fat content” indicator is underlined and highlighted toindicate that the selection of the “link” will retrieve additionalinformation. If the link is activated by navigation keys 106 (or bytouching the selection if using a touch sensitive display pad) theportable terminal will retrieve additional data through the controller150. The data, such as recommended daily amounts, alternative productswith lesser fat contents, etc. may be stored at the controller, in whichcase, the relevant information is downloaded directly to the portableterminal. Alternatively, the “link” represents a data file stored at aremote source such as the manufacturer's web page, in which case thecontroller 150 sends the request over a wide area network and retrievesthe data and routes the data to the portable terminal. The link may alsoinclude embedded passwords and data request commands required by theremote server for retrieval of the highlighted data field.

The structure discussed above permits the retail facility to usestandard programming tools such as HTML 3.0 for the creation of anIntranet/Internet environment for the operation of the portableterminals 100 and for ease of retrieving and converting data files fromexternal sources for use on the system.

FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate an application of the present invention on aportable terminal employing a four by twenty line display in which eachline consists of a five by eight pixel matrix which can be converted topixel data to generate graphical characters.

FIG. 7A illustrates the initial screen of a portable terminal uponretrieval of the unit. As illustrated in FIG. 7A, a generic message isdisplayed to each user which includes a message regarding a HolidaySpecial: Pumpkin Pies. The item is underlined indicating that theselection may be activated to retrieve additional information. In thiscase, although not shown, the information retrieved would indicate theprice and size of the pumpkin pie special, the location within the storewhere the pies are located and another link marked “AdditionalSpecials”.

In the event no selection is made and no other key is pressed within apredetermined amount of time (i.e., 10 seconds), the screen will displaythe instructions illustrated in FIG. 7B. In FIG. 7B the activation ofany link will result in the display of additional information pertainingto the use of the keys on the portable terminal and a prompt for theselection of a different language in the event the originally selectedlanguage was incorrectly entered.

FIG. 7C illustrates the use of a comparison function by the portableterminal. This feature is activated by the consumer upon the entry ofthe customer preference choices discussed above, or in the alternativeis automatically activated by the retail facility upon scanning of anitem with the scanner 120 display. The feature causes the graphicaldisplay 110 to display an identification of the item scanned and itscost. In addition, the display also displays alternative brands andtheir costs. In the illustrated example, one selection, King's, includesa link with a marker, a star, indicating that an electronic coupon isavailable for the selected item. Selection of the item for a buy wouldautomatically download the electronic coupon into the customer'stransaction file. In the event the item is scanned for return, theelectronic coupon is deleted from the consumer's data file.

FIG. 7D illustrates a sample screen 120 after a consumer has selectedseveral items for purchase, and pressed the equals key to display thecurrent total. The portable terminal downloads information from thecentral controller once the “equals” key has been activated. Theinformation is then displayed on the display 110 providing the consumervisual confirmation that the items have been scanned for purchase. Aconsumer may see all the items by scrolling through the list by placingthe cursor on the arrow keys and pressing the activation key. The listline on the display indicates that the Best Buy feature is on. Selectionof that link will disengage the feature. In the event multiple featuresare available, a multiple feature link could also be displayed toprovide a menu of links which will turn various features “on” or “off”as the case may be. The two selected items are also highlighted toindicate that an electronic coupon has been used for the Squash and thatcheaper buys are available for Cadbury Chocolate purchase. The latterlink would be disengaged and not shown in the event the Best Buy featurewas not activated.

In FIG. 7E, an example is provided of a consumer using the cholesterolpreference. The consumer has scanned an item of broccoli, a nocholesterol item. The scanned item is displayed with a friendly messageand a happy face which in this case acts as a “link” to a consumer'sadvocate home web page available on the Internet which provides variousdata and recommendations on how to prepare broccoli and other healthyfoods. The selection of this link, in the illustrated example, woulddownload a text-only version of the web page. In the event a largerdisplay was used such as that shown in FIG. 2, the graphics version ofthe page would be displayed.

The portable terminals could also be used to download audio data files.This would be especially useful to visually impaired consumers. Thoseconsumers who have difficulty reading small print such as nutritionalinformation on items would be able to scan an item and find its priceand nutritional data through an audio output. In the event a consumerrequires assistance, the portable terminal could also be provided with aworking telephone subsystem.

Each unit is provided with a unique IP address. A consumer who sends outaudio data or an assistance request may receive audio assistance. In apreferred embodiment, a consumer selects the help link associated withany of the selection keys, as illustrated in FIGS. 7B and 7E, or selectsan audio link as illustrated in FIG. 7D. This selection generates a helprequest command to the controller which forwards the request to aservice desk, which may be located at a point-of-sale terminal location170. Once the clerk responds to the message request, the messagerequest, the clerk opens a voice channel with the consumer whichprovides for a telephone type communication. Although the data istransmitted using packed data communication techniques using theportable terminal IP address, the communication networks described aboveprovide for adequate throughputs to establish a real time communicationlink. Thus, if a consumer needs assistance in retrieving an item from atop shelf or has injured himself, he can communicate his messagedirectly to a customer service attendant.

Illustrated in FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of atelephony system employed in a terminal of the present invention. InFIG. 8, a PCM CODEC (coder/decoder) chip 330 is connected to a CT8015DSP chip 320 and a 6805 processor chip 310. This chip set is connectedto a communication part of the terminal which is provided with a datainput user interface 301, and a phone program 302 stored in read onlymemory. The phone program utilizes a TCP/IP or other protocol stack 303which communicates packet switched data over a SPECTRUM24™ radio PCMCIAcard 304. The audio input and output are configured to be placed next tothe user's ear and mouth similar to a standard telephone handset and toprovide an echo, so that a user can hear what he is saying when hespeaks into the microphone. This configuration is preferred in anysystem in which the terminal is being held up to the user's head foruse, such as that shown in FIG. 4.

The 6805 chip 310 sends and receives packets of data between the CT8015DSP chip 320 and the serial port 305. Packets received from the CT8015on the terminal's CPU via the serial port 305. The user interfacesoftware is designed to identify the selection of an IP address on thedisplay. Alternatively, the user interface 301 could simply send atelephony request message and wait for a telephone communication channelopen command to be received from the controller over the wirelesscommunication link.

The phone program is a memory resident (TSR) program and handles theactual processing of audio communication which includes processing userinterface data, routing the packets from and to the SPECTRUM24™ network,and routing packets from and to the local CT8015 chip. The phone program302 also performs the handshaking procedure with the CT8015 chip 320.

The two-way audio system of the present invention permits retailfacilities to transmit emergency broadcast messages on the portableterminal and permits customers to respond quickly. For instance,inquiries as to a lost child could be made by a parent and retransmittedto all other users in the store or to a service attendant, located nearthe store exit who can ensure that the lost child is not permitted toleave the facility. Moreover, the phone system permits facilities havingmultiple locations to use service desk assistants located at a centrallocation to service multiple locations. A store need not set up atelephone help desk at each location. In addition, the telephonyapplication could also be implemented to provide (i) customernotification upon the availability of an ordered item (i.e., deli orderis ready), (ii) place orders for out-of-stock items, and (iii) identifythe location of all store shoppers and employees.

3. In-Store Marketing

The self-shopping embodiment of the present invention permits broadin-store marketing programs including pinpoint marketing, coupondistribution and coupon tracking. An example of a preferred marketingsystem employed in a system of the present invention is described below.

The application of an electronic coupon system has been previouslydescribed above. In the event electronic coupons are not available for aparticular product, the system, i.e., software on the central host,could be provided to identify the existence of other couponing ordiscount system applicable to a scanned product. For example, someretail facilities provide coupon dispensers at entrance points and inaisles. If such a coupon system exists for a scanned item, thecontroller generates a link for the scanned item, identifying thenature, availability, conditions, locations and amount of savingsgenerated by the coupon, and the customer may then proceed to thelocation and physically retrieve the coupon. A coupon redemption centermay then be provided for expedient conversion of the coupon into thecustomer's transaction file. Alternatively, the coupon can be presentedat a checkout register or, if the coupon is provided with a machinecoded label, i.e., bar code, it may be scanned with a portable terminalwhich will register the coupon on the system and apply it to apreviously scanned or subsequently scanned item. This pre-scanning ofcoupons may be performed by a customer at the store or at home using ahome scanner (such as one attached to the customer PC 45) and downloadedinto the customer's data file at the facility.

In order to provide coupon functions, the central host is provided witha database of available electronic coupons and hard coupons. In apreferred embodiment, the system automatically creates a linked page forscanned items including any associated information matching a customer'spreference profile. The system will employ a dynamic page builder usinga predetermined coupon template wherein a hyperlink to a page of coupondata is presented. In the event the page exceeds the display limitationsof the display (i.e., requires more lines than are available on a singledisplay) for the terminal in use, the page builder automatically createsa new “next page” link to be displayed on the terminal. The dynamic pagebuilder program also permits an override function in the event a link isprovided to an external web page address. Using the IP address of theportable terminal, the central host will retrieve the file from a remotesite (i.e., an Internet server) and retransmit the web page to theportable terminal. The retransmission by the central host will includeany reformatting constraints which are applicable to the destinationportable terminal which may only have a partial view screen capability.The resulting collection of data may then be transmitted to the in-storesystem by E-mail transmission or through a data collection article suchas a smart-card or a floppy disk. Store receivers (i.e., kiosks) wouldbe installed to load such data on to the customer's data file.

In addition to the coupon schemes discussed above, the central host alsoprovides and tracks other marketing programs in response to the scanningof predetermined items by a consumer using a portable terminal of thepresent invention. One example is a “buy two and get a third item free”or “for fifty percent off” discount prompt at the display. In the eventof company rebates, the system could be employed to generate automaticredemption requests by the system. In accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention, the central host generates a listof consumers who have bought articles having a rebate feature. The storemay then print fully formatted rebate requests upon receiving paymentfrom the consumer or automatically communicate the rebate request to thecompany providing the rebate. This would provide for the automaticrebate of funds to the consumer or for the crediting of the consumer'saccount at the specific facility. The central host also maintainsdetailed logs as to the nature, quantities and results of suchtransmissions.

In another preferred embodiment, the central host is programmed toinform customers that a selected item is a restricted item and cannot bepurchased by the consumer at that time. For instance, in some statesalcoholic beverages may not be sold on Sundays. Thus, if a consumerscans the product for purchase, the portable terminal will display amessage or play an audible message conveying the prohibition. Similarly,if a customer who is below the minimum drinking age attempts to purchasean article of alcohol, they will be reminded of the drinking age and anotice will be provided to the local service attendant upon an attemptedpayment that a person of unknown or insufficient age has attempted tobuy an age restricted item.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the portable terminal isused to present advertising messages to the consumer. The central hostwill detect items scanned by the portable terminal having an associatedadvertising message or video display. Thus, when a consumer scans a“Coke” can, he may receive the voice message “COKE IS IT.”Alternatively, the central host may also maintain a file of thecustomer's prior purchase records, and detect correlation of purchaseditems. If such a correlation to a scanned item is identified, theportable terminal may be prompted to display a message reminding theconsumer to purchase other associated products or products usuallypurchased by the consumer but not currently selected. For example, if aconsumer purchases hot dogs, the central host may send a message to theportable terminal, “Do you need hot dog buns and mustard?” The messagewould be dependent on the customer's transaction list and priorpurchasing history, a positive, response selected, and if the displaywould show a new page providing cost and location data. In addition, ifthe customer's prior purchase record indicates that the customer usuallybuys charcoal with hot dogs or hamburgers, the terminal may also ask thecustomer if he needs “Charcoal.” Again, the prompted items would beprovided with a link to an informational page to provide cost andlocation. The item prompts would also be turned off in the event thecentral host determines that the product is out of stock.

In an alternative embodiment, the central host prompts the portableterminal to display customer specific data and external advertisingmessages. For instance, if a customer comes in on their birthday thestore could offer the customer a free coffee and chocolate cupcake.Alternatively, a local hair salon could send a message to all consumerswho scan a particular high-end beauty product.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the centralhost also provides for the uploading of customer shopping lists. Thus, acustomer may generate a shopping list and Email the list to apredetermined secure (i.e., password protected) Email address. Thecustomer's Email address would be predetermined and automaticallyassociated with a customer's file at the shopping facility. When thecustomer is assigned a portable terminal, the portable terminal'sinitial prompt will also include a message link indicating that amessage has been received for the customer. The selection of the linkwould cause the Email message to display on the portable terminal.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the central hostdelivers to the customer via an Email address on a customer's PC 45(FIG. 1) a list of previously purchased items, or in the alternative,the central host makes available on a customer accessible but passwordprotected web page the customer's prior purchase records and a completelisting of available items at the store. As described in FIG. 10, thecustomer may then select items for inclusion on a customer specificshopping list by checking specific items which are to be purchased andthe quantity required for purchase. By using the item selection method,i.e., selecting from a store's list of available goods, the list may beused to prompt customers on their next visit to the store the exactlocation and price of the selected items on the list by ensuring thatthe notation used by a customer for items selected for purchase willmatch the product identifiers used by the central host. The abovedescribed shopping list system also permits for home delivery of itemsbecause of the assurance of a match between items selected by a customerand items including brand, quantity and price available at the facility.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the customerselection of items is made through a graphical use interface whichsimulates a store layout, i.e., aisles with items in them as they arestacked within the store. This permits the user to find items they knoware located in certain aisles of the store. Once the customer hascompleted their selection the shopping list is also provided with ageneral comment section to provide special instructions to the store orreminders to themselves. It is preferred that the central hostacknowledge receipt and recognition of selected items by Email responseor telephone call to the customer's location. In the event of an Emailorder for home delivery, it is also preferred that the customer receivea telephone call to ensure that the customer has in fact placed theorder and to provide credit card verification information if the orderis to be paid in the form of an electronic fund transfer.

Once the customer's order has been placed electronically, a storeattendant using a portable terminal of the present invention is promptedto collect items for delivery to the specified customer. The attendantcollects and scans items which have been selected for purchase. In theevent a product is not available because it has been depleted subsequentto the order being placed, the attendant is provided with anout-of-stock marker. The marker could be a bar coded command on a barcoded command sheet provided to the attendant which could includescannable instruction codes such as “Begin new client collection,” “Outof stock item,” “Suspend client collection,” “Cancel client collection”and “Scan bag for client.” For example, in the event the item selectedby the customer for purchase is out-of-stock the bar coded commandindicating that the item is out of stock is scanned by the attendant.The shopping list delivered to the customer is then modified to indicatethe item has not been included for delivery to the customer. In apreferred embodiment of this system, the customer may mark items as“essential” or “required for delivery” so that key ingredients (as inrecipes) are not omitted which would make the rest of the requesteditems unnecessary. Thus, if a customer selects items on a list based ona recipe which is suggested on the store's home page, and a criticalelement is not available, all the items on the recipe may be withheld.This “requirement” condition can be tagged to the complete list orsimply a portion of the list using any number of methods which wouldbecome obvious to one skilled in the art subsequent to reading thisdescription. Essential items could also be linked to or marked withalternative products.

As a result, a customer's shopping list will be subdivided into a seriesof lists with related items which a customer may redesignate for its ownpurposes. Once the attendant has completed the collection process, theattendant prints out customer stickers which are placed on bags used totransport a customer's selected items to the customer's deliverylocation. The attendant may be provided with a portable printer which iscommercially available from Symbol Technologies, Inc.

In order to improve on the efficiency of the delivery system describedabove, it is preferred that the customer include a delivery time windowand location in their delivery requests. Once these entries are enteredinto the central host, the central host will order the collection ofhome delivery orders so as to provide for the delivery to customerslocated in proximity to each other in both location and delivery timeperiods. In addition, a customer's shopping list may also be reorganizedby the central computer to account for efficient collection of goods forthe attendant relevant to current location. Thus, all items in the sameaisle will be grouped together for collection by the attendant and oncea location within the aisle is identified by the scanning of a currentor prior article, the order will be reordered to provide for the orderedselection of goods within the aisle. This dynamic reorganization ofitems allows for real world situations in which an attendant may becalled away for a moment or simply proceeds in an inefficient direction.

The attendant could also be provided with a “bag” link on the portableterminal. Each bag may be provided with a unique coded identifier. Oncethe attendant begins using the bag for a particular customer's products,the attendant can scan the bag code with the portable terminal using the“plus” key. The portable terminal will identify this as a bag containingcustomer products and automatically associate the bag to the customer.The identification of the bag and contents is stored on the system andmay be forwarded to a customer via E-mail or made available with apassword protected web page. In a preferred embodiment, these “bags”could be reusable totes electronically matched to a customeridentification code, and upon each delivery to the home, totes from thelast delivery are retrieved and returned to the store.

In the event a customer selects the item for collection and pick-up atthe store, the customer may proceed to a service desk shown in FIG. 6 tomake payment and receive a receipt. The customer desk 800 is providedwith a service console 810, a card reader 820 for identifying a customerloyalty card, a report printer for generating report data for thecustomer, a card writer 830 and a receipt printer 840. The customer maysettle his account and proceed to collect his bags of goods.

The herein described embodiments of the present invention are intendedto provide the preferred embodiments of the present invention ascurrently contemplated by the applicants. It would be obvious to anyoneof skill in the relevant art based on the herein described exampleswithout straying from the present invention that numerous modificationcould be made to the described preferred embodiments. For example, theportable terminal could take any number of forms including wearablesolutions available from Symbol Technologies, Inc. and larger portablesolutions described herein. In addition, the graphical user interfacecould also be implemented as a number of different presentation schemes.Moreover, although many of the preferred embodiments have been describedin the context of a self-scanning supermarket application, the systemcould be used in any type of self-scanning application. For example, ina clothing store, the portable terminals could be used to provideinformation pertaining to recommended accessories which would match aselected item by providing cost, location and even a display of how twoor more items would appear as one outfit. Accordingly, the hereindescribed embodiments are merely exemplary in nature and are notintended to represent every possible embodiment of the presentinvention.

1. A shopping system comprising: a central host that exchanges data witha portable terminal, the central host comprising a processor thatretrieves information associated with customer preferences including apreference list that identifies customer's areas of interest from adatabase, correlates the customer preference list with shoppingtransaction data received from the portable terminal to generatecorrelated results, and presents the correlated results to a customerthrough the portable terminal, wherein the central host is operable toupload and display a customer shopping list from a predetermined secureemail address on a display of the portable terminal.
 2. The shoppingsystem of claim 1, wherein the customer preferences are selected fromcategories comprising at least one of: nutrition; alternative brands;discounts; promotions; and special events.
 3. The shopping system ofclaim 1, wherein the customer preferences are saved on at least one of acustomer loyalty card and a database at the central host.
 4. Theshopping system of claim 1, wherein the correlated results are selectedfrom text, audio, visual, and audio/visual results presented to thecustomer through the portable terminal interface.
 5. The shopping systemof claim 1, wherein the correlated results are selected from a groupcomprising at least one of: product information; product discount; andassociated items from previous shopping transactions.
 6. The shoppingsystem of claim 1, wherein the central host comprises a connection to acustomer shopping list, and access to a complete inventory of a store,so as to generate and send to a customer a list indicating availabilityof items in the list to be purchased.
 7. The shopping system of claim 1,wherein the portable terminal comprises: a machine code reader thatscans encoded indicia from an item to be purchased in a shoppingtransaction; a plurality of activation buttons that add, remove andtotal a scanned item from a list of items to be purchased in theshopping transaction; a display device that presents visual imagesassociated with the shopping transaction; an audio communication systemthat exchanges audio messages associated with the shopping transaction;and a communications interface that wirelessly exchanges data with aremote central host.
 8. The shopping system of claim 7, wherein thedisplay device comprises a graphical user interface and a touch screen,the activation buttons are presented and activated thereon.
 9. Theshopping system of claim 7, wherein the audio communication systemcomprises at least one of: a voice activated control that issues voicecommands on the portable terminal; an audio broadcast receiver thatreceives messages from a remote location; and a two-way voicecommunication system that exchanges voice messages with the remotelocation.
 10. The shopping system of claim 7, wherein the machine codereader is detachable from the portable terminal.
 11. The shopping systemof claim 7, wherein the central host further comprises a customertransaction file that tracks each customer's shopping history.
 12. Amethod of shopping comprising: uploading and displaying a customershopping list from a predetermined secure email address on a portableterminal; scanning an article to be purchased on the portable terminal;comparing the scanned article to be purchased with a list of customerpreferences; correlating the scanned article and customer preferenceswith a database of related information, to compile correlated results ofrelated information; and presenting the correlated results to a customeron a display of the portable terminal.
 13. The method of claim 12,further comprising selecting the customer preferences from categoriescomprising at least one of: nutrition; alternative brands; discounts;promotions; and special events.
 14. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising selecting the correlated results from a group comprising atleast one of: product information; product discount; and associateditems from previous shopping transactions.
 15. The method of claim 12,further comprising selecting the correlated results from text, audio,visual, and audio/visual results presented to the customer.
 16. Themethod of claim 12, further comprising: maintaining a transactionhistory of prior customer purchase records; comparing the scannedarticle with similar previously purchased articles; correlating thescanned article with associated items; and prompting a customer reminderin connection with the associated items.
 17. The method of claim 12,further comprising: uploading a customer shopping list; comparing theshopping list with a database of a complete available inventory; andindicating availability of items on the customer shopping list.
 18. Themethod of claim 12, further comprising: indicating prohibition of ascanned article to be purchased; and notifying a checkout attendant toprohibit purchase of the scanned article.
 19. A shopping systemcomprising: means for sending and receiving shopping transaction data;means for uploading and displaying a customer shopping list from apredetermined secure email address; means for identifying areas ofinterest related to a customer's preferences; and means for generatingcorrelated results, correlated to the customer's preferences andreceived shopping transaction data and displaying the results.
 20. Theshopping system of claim 19, wherein the customer preferences areselected from categories comprising at least one of: nutrition;alternative brands; discounts; promotions; and special events; and thecorrelated results are selected from a group comprising at least one of:product information; product discount; and associated items fromprevious shopping transactions.
 21. The shopping system of claim 1,wherein the central host retrieves information from an Internet serverand retransmits the information to the portable terminal.